Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-04-13
PRESBYTERIANS.
Large Amount Of Business franssctsi-
a Sabbath. Sc hool Convention Com
mittsss and Changes.



Va, on the 9th Of April. In the alb
sence OF the moderator, Rev. Il. G. An
derson, presbytery was opened with q
sermon by Rev. DR.. I. L. Peck. The
last moderator present, Rev. l.. A. Me-
Lean, presided till on organization was
effected by the election OF Rev. j. A.
McMurray as moderator, and Rev. u.
s. Wilson and ID. w. Owen as tempo
rary clerks. Eleven ministers and
thirteen ruling elders we're in attend
ance. Twenty-one churches were I'M
represented by their elders.
Candidate w. l.. Homersley was dis
missed to the care OF the Presbytery Of
Nashville.
A petition from eighteen members OF
the Presbyterian church residing near
Scottsburg was, presented, asking to be
organized as separate congregation
under the name of Elon, and commit
tee, consisting OF Rev. Messrs. II. A..
Brown, DIR. j. IL. Davis, and J. A. Nc
Murray, with RuliDg-Elders DR..
Ephraim Spencer and Henry Easily,
was appointed to organize the church
on the fifth Sabbath OF May if the way
be found clear.
A communication from the Synod's
committee on the evangelization of the
colored people awakened an interesting
and animated discussion OF this subject,
occupying q whole MISUNDERSTANDING
deep interest in the matter, and
developing the fact that those members
of the presbytery who preach stately
to the colored people are encouraged TO
do so by good audiences and willing,
appreciative hearers. A resolution was
adopted urging all the members to seek
opportunities to preach to this people.
There are two hourishing colored Pres
byterian churches within the bounds of
Roanoke Presbytery-viz., one in Den-
vile, in connection with the Northern
Presbyterian Church, and one in Char
lotte county, which was organized by
this presbytery and which numbers
nearly two hundred members. 1t was
organized mainly from the colored men,
bership of the Roanoke church, num-
bering at the close OF the war considera-
bly, over one hundred.
Rev. Messrs. Leonard and billiard,
of the Baptist church, aud Rev. MIR.
Irby, of the West Charlotte circuit OF
the Methodist Church, were invited to
sit with us as visiting brethren.
On account of his wife's health,
which requires change of residence,
Rev. j. G. Dinwiddie asked leave to re-
sign the pastoral charge of Concord, Old
Concord, and New Concord churches,
and these churches were cited to appear
at the next stated meeting to show
cause, if any there be, why the request
should not be granted.
A committee was appointed, consist
ing of Rev. III. A. Brown, Rev. DR..
Peck, and Ruling Elder L. E. Banks
dale, to prepare q history of the pres
bytery to be submitted at our next
stated meeting for the use Of the
Sypod's Historical Committee in pre-
pairing history of the Synod, to be
read at the centennial celebration OF
the organization of the Synod, to be
held at New Providence church in 1888 /;
and it was enjoined upon the members
of the presbytery, In conjunction with
the sessions of the several churches
served by them, to prepare historical
sketches of their respective congrega-
cations and to send them as soon as
possible, not later than the LIST Of
August, to the chairman Of the Presby-
terial Committee.
The committee previously appointed
to organize church in North Danville
was continued.
Rev. II. A. Brown, after q service OF
twenty-five years as chairman of the
presbytery's Committee on Missions,
having declined disappointment, Rev.
j. H. Davis, ID. D., was made chair
man, and Rev. T. S. Wilson, Rev. DR..
Alexander Martin, and Ruling-Elders
T. L. Rarksdale and Henry Easily mem
bers of the committee. DIR. Dayis's
address is Black Walnut.
For special and urgent reasons all the
churches of the presbytery are urged
to take up q supplementary collection
for the cause of ministerial education
during this month and forward the same
to Rev. Il. s. Wilson, News Ferry, Va.
On Friday the presbytery resolved
itself into Sabbath-school convention,
and large part of the day was spent
in the discussion of subjects relative to
the successful prosecution of Sabbath
school work. Very interesting and
practical addresseswer made by Ruling-
Elder Il. L. Barksdale and Rev. Messrs.
Wilson, Mclean, Wool, McMurray, and
Scott, Of the presbytery, and by Rev.
Mr.. Leonard, OF the Baptist church, and
Rev. Mr.. Irby, of the Methodist church.
The addresses were interspersed with
the singing of spirited Sabbath-school
hymns, and the whole exercises were
suited to inspire deeper and more
lively interest in this important part OF
church work.
Mr.. n. j. Nicely, member Of Buff
fslo church, was taken under care OF
the presbytery as a candidate for the
ministry.
Rev. j. p. Cannon was appointed
on the Committee of Foreign Missions
in place of DIR. Davis, made chairman
of Committee of Missions Mr.. Gam
mons post-ofiice is Smithville, Va. All
the other executive committees and
committees of examination were re-
appointed, constituted as before.
Much other necessary and important
routine work was attended to, and at
II A. NJ. OF Saturday the presbytsry
adjourned, to meet at Old Concord
church on Thursday. September I'd.
The weather proved very favorable,
and large and attentive audiences list
ened to the preaching daily at III A. M.
and at night. Hat Creek is one Of the
oldest Presby terian churches in the
State of Virginia, being now nearly one
hundred and fifty years old. 1t is,
under the ministry Of its pastor, Rev.
John A. Scott, Jr., enjoying green
and fourishing old age, being one OF
the largest and most prosperous con-
gregations of the presbytery. with l6O
members. 1t finds its fit type in the
copious spring at the foot OF the hill
on which the church stands, from gene
ration to generation pouring forth its
pure and wholesome water, fit symbol
of.the water of life. OF the hospitali-
ties extended to the presbytery and to
the numerous visitors who daily
thronged the well-loaded tables itneed
only be said that they fully merited the
cordial vote Of thanks which was adopt
"a II II